Results 10,421-10,440 of 16,849 for speaker:Dermot Ahern

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (16 Sep 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that, as of the latest date for which figures are readily available, the total number of Community Gardaí was 874. While all Gardaí have responsibility, inter alia, to deal with Community Policing issues as and when they arise, the total number of dedicated Community Gardaí in each Division was as set out in the table hereunder: Division Community...

Written Answers — Garda Reserve: Garda Reserve (16 Sep 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The number of attested members of the Garda Reserve as at 31st July 2009 was 405. The number of Garda Reserves in training on that date was 151. The Government is strongly committed to the development of the Reserve. Recruitment to the Reserve is continuing and regular promotional campaigns to attract Reserve members are being undertaken. The moratorium on recruitment and appointments in...

Written Answers — Prisoner Deaths: Prisoner Deaths (16 Sep 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The following table shows the number and breakdown by institution of deaths in prison custody each year for the past four years and to date in 2009. Year Deaths in Custody Prison / Location 2009 to date 8 Arbour Hill (1) Castlerea (1) Cloverhill (1) Limerick (1) Midlands (1) Mountjoy (3) 2008 11 Arbour Hill (2) Cloverhill (1) Cork (1) Limerick (2) Loughan...

Written Answers — Proposed Legislation: Proposed Legislation (16 Sep 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The Spent Convictions Bill 2007 is now awaiting Committee Stage in the Dáil, having completed Second Stage on 18 December 2008.

Written Answers — Restorative Justice Programme: Restorative Justice Programme (16 Sep 2009)

Dermot Ahern: There are two adult schemes currently operating in Nenagh, Co. Tipperary and in Tallaght, Dublin 24 which are funded by my Department, through the Probation Service and which operate on the principles of restorative justice (RJ) with the twin aim of attempting to heal the harm done to victims and at the same time holding the offender accountable for his or her actions. In the case of...

Written Answers — Liquor Licensing Laws: Liquor Licensing Laws (16 Sep 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The Garda Síochána Act 2005 makes provision for the compilation and publication of crime statistics by the Central Statistics Office, as the national statistical agency, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose. I have requested the CSO to provide the statistics sought by the Deputy directly to him.

Written Answers — Departmental Staff: Departmental Staff (16 Sep 2009)

Dermot Ahern: Professor Ingvar Kopp (former head of the Swedish Forensic Science Laboratory) was engaged by my Department to review the resource needs of the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL). Professor Kopp's report was published in January 2008. On foot of its recommendations a wide-ranging and comprehensive recruitment campaign for the FSL was undertaken in 2008 and resulted in 12 new Forensic...

Written Answers — Prison Building Programme: Prison Building Programme (16 Sep 2009)

Dermot Ahern: This project is to replace Cork Prison with a modern prison complex at Kilworth, County Cork. Agreement has been reached with the Department of Defence to acquire about 160 acres at Kilworth, County Cork for a new prison development. Government approval for the transfer of the land has also been obtained. The Prison Service commissioned a preliminary site suitability report. This involved a...

Written Answers — Commencement of Legislation: Commencement of Legislation (16 Sep 2009)

Dermot Ahern: When Section 132 of the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009 was brought forward in July, I made it clear that an appropriate period of time would be needed to allow the market to factor in the very significant changes which were being introduced. That remains the position. While I have taken no final decision on a commencement date, I would note that the section will not be commenced...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (16 Sep 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I propose to answer Questions Nos. 767 to 770, inclusive, together. One of the options open to persons faced with the prospect of having a Deportation Order issued in respect of them is that they can seek to return voluntarily to their country of origin. Asylum seekers and irregular migrants from non-EU countries who agree to return voluntarily to their countries of origin but do not have...

Written Answers — Departmental Expenditure: Departmental Expenditure (16 Sep 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I wish to direct the Deputy to the replies to Parliamentary Question Nos. 382 of 22 April 2008, 194 to 196 of 5 June 2008 and 305 and 306 of 23 June 2009. I can also inform the Deputy that in October 2008 my Department ran two awareness raising campaigns concerning (a) Fireworks, at a total cost of €150,320 and (b) Anti-Human Trafficking, at a cost of €129,566, exclusive of VAT. In...

Written Answers — Departmental Programmes: Departmental Programmes (16 Sep 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The administration of the Cycle-to-Work scheme has been carried out within existing resources and no additional costs have arisen.

Written Answers — Citizenship Applications: Citizenship Applications (16 Sep 2009)

Dermot Ahern: An application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to in the Deputy's Question was received in the Citizenship Division of my Department in February 2006. All applications are dealt with in chronological order as this is deemed to be the fairest to all applicants. The average processing time from application to decision is now at 24 months. More complicated cases can...

Written Answers — Garda Deployment: Garda Deployment (16 Sep 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that the area referred to by the Deputy is covered by Coolock Garda District. The personnel strength of that District, as of the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 249. The area is subject of regular patrols by uniform and plain-clothes personnel, including the local Community Policing and Garda Mountain Bike Units, the District...

Written Answers — Ministerial Expenses: Ministerial Expenses (16 Sep 2009)

Dermot Ahern: The information sought by the Deputy is only available from 1998 onwards. The expenditure in question relates for the most part to travel and subsistence expenses incurred by the office holders, while away from home, during the periods in question. Year Expenses paid Ms. Mary Wallace T.D , Minister of State 1998 €28,731 1999 €23,268 2000 €43,672 2001 €1,023 2002 €69,404...

Criminal Law (Home Defence) Bill 2009: Second Stage (17 Sep 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I wish to share time with the Minister of State, Deputy John Moloney.

Criminal Law (Home Defence) Bill 2009: Second Stage (17 Sep 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I agree with the Deputies that we should have a reasoned debate and I compliment them on at least putting this on the agenda at a time when we are not reacting to a recent event. Members on all sides of the House will accept that this is an issue in which we all have a substantial interest and with which the Government has some sympathy. Deputies and the public at large are aware of cases...

Criminal Law (Home Defence) Bill 2009: Second Stage (17 Sep 2009)

Dermot Ahern: We have already accepted that we would postpone consideration of our own Bill in which we published a scheme a number of years ago on the basis that the Law Reform Commission report is now due. The special status of the home dwelling has always been linked with the dignity of the individual. It is my contention that an attack in the home has unique characteristics, very different from other...

Criminal Law (Home Defence) Bill 2009: Second Stage (17 Sep 2009)

Dermot Ahern: I am fully in agreement with the sentiments of the Bill, but if we are to address these issues we should do it correctly. I will point out some of the flaws. Section 3 of this Bill, for example, provides for a presumption that any force used by an occupier on a trespasser within the dwelling is reasonable in all circumstances. This presumably applies even if the trespasser is on the...

Criminal Law (Home Defence) Bill 2009: Second Stage (17 Sep 2009)

Dermot Ahern: Section 3(2) states that the presumption does not apply if the person entering is a member of An Garda Síochána acting in the course of his or her duty. This provision reflects a similar one contained in section 18 of the 1997 Act, but there may be a need for a reference to other persons who legitimately enter a house in the course of their duty, such as members of the emergency services...